Ian Thomas is CEO of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. Since his appointment in December 2018 the council has been on a significant journey of transformation. A successful past year for the council includes an impressive response to COVID-19, resulting in the authority being shortlisted for three MJ Awards including Council of the Year, with commendations in a further two categories, and being announced the winners of the award for Senior Leadership Team of the Year 2021, all thanks to the very important part staff across the council, as well as partners played in that achievement.

In 2022 the council has been shortlisted for two further national awards (MJ and PPMA) for its leading work on
promoting diversity and inclusion in partnership with the London Borough of Sutton Council.

Ian was CEO of Lewisham, and prior to this, the Strategic Director of Rotherham Borough Council’s Children and Young People’s Services (DCS), responsible for transformation of the service from Inadequate (bottom 6%) to Good with outstanding features (top 16%) within three years. Prior to this he was DCS and Deputy CEO at Derbyshire County Council.

He has 35 years’ experience in the public, voluntary and private sectors, holds a MA in ‘Developing Professional Practice’ and is a Masters-level qualified Executive Coach and Mentor.

In the New Year’s Honours 2019 he was made a Commander of the British Empire.